"Do you find him so amusing?"

"Very much so."

"He's such a boy. By-the-way, some of the passengers are remarking
about your friendship for him."

Mrs. Cortlandt shrugged. "I expected that. Does it interest you?"

The man favored her with his wintry smile. "Not at all."

"If he should need assistance while in Panama, I should be obliged
if you would accommodate him."

"Money?"

"Yes, or anything else. He left New York unexpectedly."

"Don't you think that is going a bit too far? You know I don't
fancy him."

Mrs. Cortlandt frowned slightly. "We won't discuss it," she said.
"I assured him he was at liberty to call on us for anything and--
naturally that ends the matter."

"Naturally!" he agreed, but his colorless cheeks flushed dully.